Question

Which is not correct about sustentacular cells?
A. It is situated in between the germinal epithelial cells
B. It is related with the nutrition of sperm
C. It forms blood testis barrier
D. It forms testosterone from estrogen

Answer 1

Hint: The sustentacular cells are the primary supporting cells present throughout the body starting from the brain to even the reproductive parts. In testes, these cells are present as the sertoli cells.

Complete answer:
Sertoli cells, also known as the sustentacular cells are found on the walls of the seminiferous tubules present in the testes. In each tubule, these cells are present with their tip pointing towards their central cavity while the base is present against their basal membrane. These are the pyramid shaped cells that form a supporting framework for the germ cells. Their main function is to provide nutrition to the young or the immature developing sperm cells. They work under the control of testosterone hormone.
Seminiferous tubules contain one germ layer which helps in forming sperms while the other layer provides nutrition to the developing sperms. This layer which helps in nourishing the cells contains the sustentacular cell (sertoli cells in case of testes).
Also, these sustentacular cells act as blood testis barriers as they do not allow direct encounter of blood with the sperm cells and thus protects the sperm cells.
However, these cells do not function to perform any hormonal conversions.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Sertoli cells, also known as the sustentacular cells are also the functional constituent of seminiferous tubules. They perform spermatid differentiation as well as help in maintaining the blood testis barrier.